The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-24
ENSLAVEMENT OF LABOR.
a., lbram s. Hewitt Discusses Working
mons Organizations and Their Tendencies.
NEW YORK, Feb 23.-The following letter
.om Mayor Hewitt was read at the New York
r.,,bsrn Society banquet last night:

knrM
r,nthern Society banquet last night:
rhsre was but one exception in the Constitution, as
srsly formed to the guarantee of personal liber-
svery citizen and the result the fortunes of
Z. North and South most marked and is now ap-
snt IN every student of politics Where labor is
he and the citizen may dispose OF his tune and effort
!. IL Gees f progress where natural resources
a law is inevitable. The resources of the South In
~, and iron and the other useful metals were per-
tly well known before the civil war; called atten
En them as early as 1856, and predicted then the
Lrsounent which is going on, almost mracu
m IN its extent and rapidity. l suppose the demon
,rstion is complete, even to every Southern man.
fiat the liberty of the citizen is essential to the pros
,srty Of society. And yet while this demon
rrstion has been going on for years In the
South retrograde movement has been inau-
rqted in the North. looking to the enslavement of
e citizens and the destruction of all rights of free
rion except so far as it may be exercised in the
ddce Of irresponsible agents to whom secret organ
rion sees fit to intrust power. Within the last few
weeks we have seen large bodies of men, confessin.
that they had no grievances deliberately quit work
he order of secret tribunal whose power they dared
bot call in question and of whom every stood In
drad 1t is incredible that in the North whore the
fruits Of free government and of the personal right OF
sh man TO employ himself according to his own will
iNe been conspicuously demonstrated by the
gOwth Of hundred years, any man would be wiling
sacrifice his personal Independence and yield 1t to
knoran selfish and unscrupuous leaders, using this
power only for their personal advantage. Indeed
ge tyranny would never have been possible but for
| aeirgenious and dangerous heresy which made it
possible for men to refuse to work with other men
Nho have not fit to join these secret organiza-
hons. Society never contemplates that this power
would be exercised to practically reduce any por
bon Of the workmen of the land to the condition of
a9 being able to get work upon any terms whatever
Neept with compulsory membership with organiza-
ta governed by secret and irresponsible tribunal
1 When men who seeking work ind that
there is only one condition upon which they
sn get it, they must surrender their private views
oil tf
hecase. The sacrifice having been made the power
aths leaders became absolute. We all sympathize
With the working men of the country, and are glad
hat the wages of labor steadily the increase.
yrjoce that capital has so increased that it daily
\ eeomes cheaper to those who compelled to bor
W, because labor profits when the cost of capital
brluced But the benefit which would thus, under
aura laws to the great mass OF the people, is
hcly il not entirely neutralized by the losses of
I fmpulsory strikes and enforced idleness. NO one
you'd interfere with the right of free association on
aspart of any class OF citizens On the contrary
h associations are to be encouraged up to the point
Were they undertake deprive the citizen of his per-
rs liberty. At this point not only the Constitution
line country is attacked but its progress in wealth
nbe checked and all incentives to special effort in
ar to achieve the larger rewards due to skill and
n flus will be arrested Hence you OF the South, and
N E@ the North, must take firm and decided posi-
pa mat under no circumstances will we permit the
r Of the citizen to be enslaved, and that if addi
s@a legislation is required to meet this
ss and pernicious movement. whichss would
Segate the North to the cofdition
which the South was before the war in regard to
aoor no time should be lost in securing its enact
pnt There is no doubt that revision of the laws
rArng 70 employment is necessary. and while have
ndant faith in the good sense of our people and in
lsui,ef failure of class movements which at wal
sa the fundamental principles of the Constitution
eAperence has taught me that the safeguard of the
sss absolutely essential for the security of society
sainat the enforcement of the law is the best guar
Ewd the stability of industry and the equitable
l'noution of wealth.
The Sun says:
aAsCr hewitt was invited to attend the Brooklyn
sI ssaIet as night, but declined in long letter. IL
Is T'er was sentence saying that certain high of
,s leaders OF the Democratic party, had panderet
Sa S.s laoor vote and deploring their action. The
cOfanlttee, by majority vote, decided thai
-: -':ef should be read at the dinner. One of tn.
4; ashy u suggested that Mr.. Hewitt be asked to GU
4 EslS sentence 1t then decided that the letter
ksr k~ Oe read as it stood, Mr.. Hewitt would hav,
r,. ..rmIIted ~ to say the thing If he had beer
\ w. 1s lhen one of the minority submitted the let
s.i ssuoyernor Hil member of the majority sait
u vnsjs governor n returned word that he would no
\ ons ~ me letter were to be read. The Governor
fra ana lne letter was not read Tho majority die
is Ds wnat had become of it, and the minority re
say anything about it.